September mean temperature likely a record-setter

With only 5 days left in the month it is not premature to anticipate we might be looking at a new statewide record for warmest September in history.

A composite summary of observer temperatures this month shows a statewide mean value near 65 degrees F, about 1 degree F greater than September of 1897, the record warmest in Minnesota history. This month's warmth has been derivied primarily from consistently summer-like daily temperatures, rather than sporadic record setting maximums or minimums.

This fits well with Paul Huttner's recent entry highlighting how temperatures have been so ideal for minimizing energy use as neither heating nor cooling systems have been needed to regulate indoor environments for the past few months.

Despite a turn towards wetter and cooler weather for the balance of the month, this September will long be remembered as a warm one and a blessing to Minnesota farmers, allowing most of the state corn crop enough frost-free season to reach maturation.